10
Jan
Opinion
Ranked: The Top 25 NBL Players of All-Time
The NBL 40 Seasons logo adorns the floor during the round 17 NBL match between the New Zealand Breakers and the Illawarra Hawks at Spark Arena on February 4, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. Photo: Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images
These 25 players are the greatest in the history of the NBL
What a task. Fair Dinkum. Ranking the Top 25 NBL Players of All-Time is headache inducing, painstaking and guilt-filled for leaving out so many great players but, ultimately, so much fun. All the player statistics come from the official NBL+ Hub.
Right around 100 games has been the bottom end of longevity to make this list, it's enough of a sample size of games to make a comparison and judgment, except for one star who dominated the league from day one. Some players don't have a complete set of statistics because in the late 70s, the only numbers that mattered were points and the final score. I've consulted two former players, both who have played with and against a vast majority of those on this list — and shall remain anonymous.
Let the debate begin.
1. Andrew Gaze
Date of Birth: 24 July 1965
Height: 6'7" (204cm)
Position: Shooting Guard
Club: Melbourne Tigers
Nationality: Australian
Statistics: Points 18,908 (30.8 ppg); Rebounds 3,121 (5.1 rpg); and Assists3,531 (5.8 apg).
Accolades: 2× NBL champion (1993, 1997); 7× NBL MVP (1991, 1992, 1994–1998); 11× NBL All-Star (1988–1997, 2004); 2× NBL All-Star Game MVP (1989, 1992); 15× All-NBL First Team (1986–2000); All-NBL Second Team (2001); 8× NBL Most Efficient Player (1990–1997); NBL Rookie of the Year (1984); 14× NBL scoring champion (1986, 1988, 1989, 1991–2001); NBL assist champion (1989); NBL 20th Anniversary Team (1998); NBL 25th Anniversary Team (2003); NBL 40th Anniversary Team (2018); No. 10 retired by Melbourne Tigers; 6× Gaze Medalist (1990, 1994–1996, 1998, 2000); and FIBA's 50 Greatest Players (1991).
Making the case for the Top 10: It's easy. Andrew Gaze is the greatest NBL player of all-time. His achievements speak for themselves. A career average nearing 31 in more than 550 games in 22 seasons is remarkable. Gaze's ability to shoot the ball from deep, before it was fashionable, was well ahead of its time. At 6'7" he could see over defenses, guard twos, threes and fours, and was big time down the stretch. His career 52.1% from the field and 37% from three during two decades at the top is freakish. Gaze is the easiest selection on this list.
2. Bryce Cotton*
Date of Birth: 11 August 1992
Height: 6'0" (183cm)
Position: Point Guard
Nationality: American
Club: Perth Wildcats
Statistics: Points 4,781 (22.3ppg); Rebounds 762 (3.6 rpg); Assists 885 (4.1 apg); and Steals 302 (1.4 spg)
Accolades: 3× NBL champion (2017, 2019, 2020); NBL Cup winner (2021); 2× NBL Grand Final MVP (2017, 2020); 4× NBL Most Valuable Player (2018, 2020, 2021, 2024)
3× NBL Fans MVP (2019, 2021, 2024); 7× All-NBL First Team (2018–2024); and 7× NBL scoring champion (2017, 2019–2024)
Making the case for the Top 10: 59 in a 40-minute ball game. That's enough on top of his existing resume to move Bryce into No2 behind Gaze. Cotton is still going so these numbers will continue to rise but seven scoring titles, three NBL championships and four MVPs already puts the Wildcats point guard at the top of the all-time list. Whenever he's on the floor in NBL25, he's the best player in the league. Seven straight All-NBL selections is evidence of his elite-level consistency. He's had more than 30 points 38 times in a 214-game NBL career, with a career high of 45, on 12-17 from the field, in Game Three of the 2016-17 NBL Grand Final. He's a big time clutch performer and winner. Cotton's place in the Top 5 All-Time is assured.
3. Leroy Loggins
Date of Birth: 20 December 1957
Height: 6'5" (196cm)
Position: Small Forward
Clubs: Brisbane Bullets and West Adelaide Bearcats
Nationality: American/Australian
Statistics: Points 11,817 (23.1 ppg); Rebounds 3,520 (6.9 rpg); and Assists 1,398 (2.7 apg).
Accolades: 3× NBL champion (1982, 1985, 1987); NBL Grand Final MVP (1987); 3× NBL Most Valuable Player (1984, 1986, 1987); 9× All-NBL First Team (1982–1988, 1990, 1993, 1994); 9× NBL All-Star (1982, 1988-1995, 1997); 2× NBL All-Star MVP (1982, 1988); 2× NBL Defensive Player of the Year (1987, 1990); NBL's 20th Anniversary Team (1998); and NBL's 25th Anniversary Team (2003).
Making the case for the Top 10: Simply known as "Leapin' Leroy" — Loggins was a walking highlight film. A lean, lanky leftie Loggins was a bucket-getter. He had three 50-point performances (55 against Melbourne in 1987, 54 against Coburg in 1986, and 50 against Newcastle, in 1987) as well as 20 games with more than 40 during his 512-game career. He shot 50% from the field in a career spanning 1981 to 2001. There are few other players in the history of the NBL, who alongside Andrew Gaze, who can be considered the face of the league during its early heydays. Leapin' Leroy was definitely one.
4. Ken Richardson
Date of Birth: 24 July 1947
Height: 6'6" (198cm)
Position: Forward
Nationality: American
Club: West Adelaide Bearcats
Statistics: In 1979 into the early '80s statistics are sketchy to non-existent. In 67 games, Richardson averaged more than 20 and in 1982 when rebounds were recorded for the first he had 152, 31 assists and 54 blocks and 56 steals in 26 games.
Accolades: NBL champion (1982); NBL Most Valuable Player (1979); All-NBL Team (1980); 6× SA State League champion (1975, 1978–1982); Woollacott Medallist (1975); and NAIA All-District 22 Honourable Mention (1973).
Making the case for the Top 10: The NBL's first MVP. He scored more than 30 points 13 times during his 67-game career for the West Adelaide Bearcats. The box score is empty for a greater part of his career but based on his 1982 numbers, he was a defensive monster averaging more than two blocks and two steals per game and 7.5 rebounds. I asked a mate who played with Richardson on the 1982 NBL Championship team what the 6'6" forward was like: "Superstar — he could dominate offense and defense — one of the best five players in NBL history. He was like Boston's Dave Cowens." That's good enough for me.
5. Mark Bradtke
Date of Birth: 27 September 1969
Height: 6'10" (208cm)
Position: Centre
Nationality: Australian
Clubs: Adelaide 36ers; Melbourne Tigers; and Brisbane Bullets
Statistics: Points 8,504 (17.4 ppg); Rebounds 5,558 (11.3 rpg); Assists 1,133 (2.3 apg); and Blocks 669 1.4 (bpg)
Accolades: 3× NBL champion (1993, 1997, 2007); NBL Most Valuable Player (2002); 6× NBL All-Star (1992-1994, 1996, 1997, 2005); 10× All-NBL First Team (1994, 1996, 1997, 1999–2005); 2× All-NBL Third Team (1992, 1998); NBL Most Improved Player (1989); NBL 20th Anniversary Team (1998); NBL 25th Anniversary Team (2003); No. 50 retired by Melbourne Tigers; 2× Gaze Medal winner (1992, 1999); and Australian Basketball Hall of Fame (2013)
Making the case for the Top 10: The man in the middle for 490 NBL games over a near 20-year career. Bradtke was a monster in the paint, could score with either hand at the rim and a legitimate shot blocker. Even through he averaged only 1.4 blocks per game, he changed hundreds more for the 36ers, Tigers and Bullets. His biggest game came in 1992 against the Geelong SuperCats pouring in 43 points on 17-28 from the field, ripped down 25 boards (13 on the offensive glass), had three assists, three blocks and two steals in 125-111 win — 43-25-3-3-2. A decade later he dropped a 40-10 double-double on the Kings. Bradtke finished his career shooting 53.6% from the field on 6,527 shot attempts. Sustained excellence has Bradtke at No5.
6. Shane Heal
Date of Birth: 6 September 1970
Height: 6'0" (183cm)
Position: Point Guard
Nationality: Australian
Clubs: Brisbane Bullets; Geelong SuperCats; Brisbane Bullets; Sydney Kings; Souths Dragons; and Gold Coast Blaze
Statistics: Points 8,486 (20.7 ppg); Rebounds 1,198 (2.9 rpg); Assists 2,523 (6.2 apg); and Steals 402 (1.0 spg).
Accolades: NBL champion (2003); All-NBL First Team (2003); 3× All-NBL Second Team (1994, 1996, 2001); All-NBL Third Team (2002); NBL Rookie of the Year (1988); NBL Most Improved Player (1990); NBL Good Hands Award (1990); and 2× Gaze Medal winner (1997, 2004).
Making the case for the Top 10: Shooters shoot and Shane Heal was a shooter. The Hammer scored the third in most points in a game (61 against Townsville in 1994) and has the third in most assists in a game (20 in 1990). He was first in assists per game in 1990 (8.3/24 games) and first in assists per game in 2002 (7.5/29 games). Heal had more than 30 points 71 times(!!!) in 440-game NBL career, including a monster double-double 37 points and 20 assists for Geelong against Adelaide in 1990. He had more than 40 points 10 times and 50, twice. Heal finished with a career average 38.4% from outside the arc, making 1,501 of 3,908 attempts. He was also an 82% free throw shooter. A three-point shooting contest between he and Gaze in their primes would have been FUN to watch.
7. James Crawford
Date of Birth: 13 April 1960
Height: 6'8" (203cm)
Position: Power Forward
Nationality: American
Clubs: Geelong SuperCats; Canberra Cannons; and Perth Wildcats
Statistics: Points 9,756 (22.4 ppg); Rebounds 4,118 (9.4 rpg); Assists 777 (1.8 apg); Blocks 661 (1.5 bpg); and Steals 441 (1.1 spg)
Accolades: 3x NBL champion (1990, 1991, 1995); 10x NBL All-Star (1988–1997); 4x All-NBL First Team (1982–1984, 1987); All-NBL Third Team (1994)
NBL's 20th Anniversary Team; NBL's 25th Anniversary Team; No. 7 retired by Perth Wildcats; and Australian Basketball Hall of Fame inductee (2013).
Making the case for the Top 10: A superb athlete with extraordinary verticality. When your nickname is the Alabama Slammer it's no surprise he's one of the greatest all-time finishers in NBL history. Crawford had 227 double-doubles in 504 NBL games, including a 57-point and 11-rebound monster for Perth against Melbourne in 153-119 blow-out in 1987. Crawford had 50 three times, more than 40 points 10 times and more than 30 and incredible 96 times. A career 55% field goal percentage means Crawford finished ABOVE the rim a lot — and packed gyms everywhere he played. When Perth were dominating the NBL in the early '90s, Crawford was at the heart of their success. He's a lock at No7 on this list.
8. Robert Rose
Date of Birth: 27 December 1964
Height: 6'5" (196cm)
Position: Shooting Guard
Nationality: American
Clubs: South East Melbourne Magic; Adelaide 36ers; Canberra Cannons; Townsville Crocodiles; and Cairns Taipans.
Statistics: Points 7,966 (18.7 ppg); Rebounds 2,767 (6.5 rpg); Assists 2,169 (5.1 apg); and Steals 715 (1.7 spg).
Accolades: NBL champion (1992); 2× NBL Most Valuable Player (1993, 2001); NBL All-Star Game MVP (1995); 5× All-NBL First Team (1993, 1995–1997, 2001)
3× All-NBL Second Team (1994, 1999, 2002); 3× All-NBL Third Team (1992, 2000, 2003); NBL's 25th Anniversary Team (1998); and No. 21 retired by Townsville Crocodiles
Making the case for the Top 10: 19-7-5 during a 425-game NBL career spanning 15 years is flat-out elite. Robert Rose was a baller. He played two games in the NBA for the Los Angeles Clippers in 1988-89 after signing a 10-day contract but played just 3 minutes. Rose was just one steal away from a quadruple double in 1999 for the Crocs. Rose had 25-10-12-9 in a 96-71 blow-out against Souths Dragons. He had more than 40 seven times, including a career high 48 — on 17-24 from the field — and 14 boards for the Canberra Cannons against North Melbourne in 1996. He also had more than 30 points 48 times. Rose's career high in assists is 20 for SEMM against the Illawarra Hawks in 1993, which includes the 38 times he had double figure assists. The dude could play on both ends of the floor.
9. Dwayne McClain
Date of Birth: 7 February 1963
Height: 6'6" (198cm)
Position: Shooting Guard
Nationality: American
Clubs: Sydney Kings; Gold Coast Rollers; and Brisbane Bullets
Statistics: Points 2,439 (24.9 ppg); Rebounds 694 (6.9 rpg); Assists 497 (5.0 apg); Steals 228 (2.3 spg); Blocks 94 (0.9 bpg).
Accolades: All-NBL First Team (1992); All-NBL Second Team (1991); and All-NBL Third Team (1993)
Making the case for the Top 10: If not for injury The D-Train could have easily been higher up this list. In the 1991 and 1992 seasons for the Sydney Kings he averages 28.5 points per game on more than 55% from the field, more than five assists per game and more than six rebounds. That is beast mode. McClain finished his NBL career right around 100 games and a career average of 24.9 points per game, including the career low 16.8 for the Brisbane Bullets in 1997. At 6'6", McClain could do it all.
10. Mark Davis
Date of Birth: 23 December 1960
Height: 6'7" (201cm)
Position: Power Forward
Nationality: American/Australian
Club: Adelaide 36ers
Statistics: Points 7,917 (18.6 ppg); Rebounds 4,662 (11 rpg); Assists 741 (1.7 apg); Steals 435 (1.0 spg); Blocks 276 (0.6 bpg).
Accolades: 3× NBL champion (1986, 1998, 1999); NBL Grand Final MVP (1986); NBL Most Valuable Player (1987); 8× NBL All-Star (1988–1995); NBL All-Star Game MVP (1991); 5× All-NBL First Team (1986–1989, 1991); 4× NBL rebounding champion (1985–1987, 1993); No. 33 retired by Adelaide 36ers; 5× SA State League champion (1987, 1989, 1991, 1995, 1997); and 5× Woollacott Medalist (1986–1989, 1992).
Making the case for the Top 10: Rebounding machine! Davis was a glass-eater in his 481-game career for the Adelaide 36ers from 1985 to 2000-2001. He averaged 11 boards and almost 19 points a game but that's only half the story, Davis ripped down more than 20 boards in 40 games, and more than 10 an extraordinary 268 times. He had a double-double (points and rebounds) 256 times. Davis' career high for rebounding is a remarkable 29(!!), three times he had 28 boards, and twice 27 — just ridiculous. Although he was a monster on the glass, Davis could also fill it up, scoring more than 40 points 10 times, with a career high 46 against Newcastle in a 1987 Round Seven 148-122 blow-out. At 6'8" that is pure effort on both ends of the floor.
11. Wayne McDaniel
Date of Birth: 8 February 1959
Height: 6'5" (196cm)
Position: Small Forward
Nationality: American
Clubs: Adelaide 36ers; Geelong SuperCats; Newcastle Falcons; and Hobart Tassie Devils.
Statistics: Points 7,546 (26.6 ppg); Rebounds 2,775 (9.8 rpg); Assists 699 (2.5 apg); and Steals 403 (1.4 spg).
Accolades: 4× NBL All-Star (1988–1991); and 2× All-NBL Second Team (1988, 1989)
Making the case: McDaniel could flat-out score the ball. His NBL career high 57 came against Adelaide in for Hobart in 1989 on 24-40 from the field. He also had 12 rebounds. McDaniel had 50 twice, and more than 40 points 21 times during his 284-game career.
12. Chris Anstey
Date of Birth: 1 January 1975
Height: 7'0" (213cm)
Position: Center
Nationality: Australian
Clubs: Melbourne Tigers; South East Melbourne Magic; Victoria Titans; and Melbourne Tigers
Statistics: Points 4,383 (15.5 ppg); Rebounds 2,492 (8.8 rpg); Assists 495 (1.8 apg); Blocks 433 (1.5 bpg); and Steals 324 (1.1 spg).
Accolades: 2x NBL MVP (2006, 2008); 2x NBL Grand Final MVP (2006, 2008); 3x NBL champion (1996, 2006, 2008); 5x All-NBL First Team (2002, 2006- 2010 )
All-NBL Second Team (2001); NBL Best Defensive Player (2008); 2x NBL Leading Rebounder (2008, 2009); 4x NBL Leading Shot Blocker (2006-2009); NBL's Most Improved Player (1996); NBL Best Sixth Man (2001); and Gaze Medal winner (2002)
Making the case: Anstey packed a lot into 282 games, including five All-NBL First Team selections and three championships. He was an elite player on elite teams. His career highs for points are 40 and rebounds 22 with a rare 20-20 double-doubling coming against Brisbane for the Melbourne Tigers in a 112-108 loss in 2007.
13. Ricky Grace
Date of Birth: 20 August 1966
Height: 6'1" (185cm)
Position: Point Guard
Nationality: American/Australian
Club: Perth Wildcats
Statistics: Points 7,462 (18.1 ppg); Rebounds 1,726 (4.2 rpg); Assists 2,949 (7.1 apg); and Steals 616 (1.5 spg).
Accolades: 4× NBL champion (1990, 1991, 1995, 2000); 2× NBL Grand Final MVP (1990, 1993); 4× All-NBL First Team (1991, 2001–2003); All-NBL Second Team (1993); 3× All-NBL Third Team (1995, 1998, 2000); No. 15 retired by Perth Wildcats; Australian Basketball Hall of Fame (2010); and NBL 25th Anniversary Team (2003).
Making the case: Ricky Grace ran the show for the great Perth Wildcats teams on the '90s. He was the consummate point guard with a scorer's mentality. He had more than 10 assists 110 times during his more than 480-game NBL career and 104 double-doubles.
14. Darryl McDonald
Date of Birth: 17 June 1964
Height: 6'0" (183cm)
Position: Point Guard
Nationality: American
Clubs: North Melbourne Giants; Victoria Titans; and Melbourne Tigers
Statistics: Points 5,382 (13.0 ppg); Rebounds 1,828 (4.2 rpg); Assists 3,018 (7.3 apg); and Steals 1082 (2.6 spg).
Accolades: 3× NBL champion (1994, 2006, 2008); 2× NBL All-Star Game MVP (1996, 2006); 3× All-NBL First Team (1994–1996); All-NBL Second Team (2006)
4× All-NBL Third Team (2000–2002, 2007); NBL Best Sixth Man (2004); 3× NBL Good Hands Award (1994–1997); and 8× NBL leader in steals (1994–1997, 1999–2001, 2003)
Making the case: D-Mac was the ultimate thief — if you didn't protect the ball he'd steal it. McDonald's career high in steals is 11 for North Melbourne against Newcastle in 1994, he recorded a triple-double that game and was just a couple of stats off a quadruple double: 25-7-14-11. Against Brisbane in the 1995 playoffs, McDonald recorded his career high for assists with 19.
15. Al Green
Date of Birth: 4 September 1953
Height: 6'2" (188cm)
Position: Point Guard
Nationality: American/Australian
Clubs: West Adelaide Bearcats; Adelaide 36ers; and Newcastle Falcons
Statistics: Points 5,382 (22.6 ppg); Rebounds 1,828 (4.3 rpg); and Assists 3,018 (3.1 apg).
Accolades: 2× NBL champion (1982, 1986); NBL Most Valuable Player (1982); 2× All-NBL First Team (1981, 1985); NBL scoring champion (1984); and No. 15 retired by Adelaide 36ers
Making the case: Green's all-time career stats are incomplete but those that are, well, fill-it-up Al. Green holds the all-time single game scoring record with 71 on a on-fire 25-41 effort against the Frankston Bears in 1984. It was possibly the greatest scoring three-round streak in NBL history. Round 13 he had 60 against the Sydney Supersonics, in Round 14 he dropped 59 on Coburg, and in Round 15, 71! In what was a sign of things to come, Green racked up a 50-piece against Illawarra in Round 4. Green averaged 39.5 points in 1984 on 52.5% from the field.
16. Derek Rucker
Date of Birth: 2 October 1966
Height: 6'0" (183cm)
Position: Point Guard
Nationality: American
Clubs: Brisbane Bullets; Newcastle Falcons; Townsville Suns; and West Sydney Razorbacks.
Statistics: Points 8,839 (23.0 ppg); Rebounds 1,480 (3.9 rpg); Assists 2,670 (7.0 apg); and Steals 790 (2.1 spg).
Accolades: NBL Most Valuable Player (1990); All-NBL First Team (1990, 1997, 1998); All-NBL Second Team (1995); All-NBL Third Team (1994); NBL scoring champion (1990); NBL single game assist record (24); and NBL single season assist record (10.6/game).
17. Lanard Copeland
Date of Birth: 26 July 1965
Height: 6'6" (198cm)
Position: Shooting Guard
Nationality: American/Australian
Clubs: Melbourne Tigers; Brisbane Bullets; and Adelaide 36ers
Statistics: Points 9,359 (19.8 ppg); Rebounds 1,732 (3.7 rpg); Assists 1,417 (3.0 apg); and Steals 558 (1.2 spg).
Accolades: 2× NBL champion (1993, 1997); NBL Grand Final MVP (1997); 5× NBL All Star (1992–1996, 2004); 2× All-NBL First Team (1999, 2002); All-NBL Second Team (1992); 2× All-NBL Third Team (1996, 2000); and No. 21 retired by Melbourne Tigers
18. Chris Goulding*
Date of Birth: 24 October 1988
Height: 6'4" (193cm)
Position: Shooting Guard
Nationality: Australian
Clubs: Brisbane Bullets; Perth Wildcats; Gold Coast Blaze; Melbourne Tigers; Melbourne United
Statistics: Points 6,000 (14.5 ppg); Rebounds 988 (2.4 rpg); Assists 825 (2.0 apg).
Accolades: 3× NBL champion (2007, 2018, 2021); NBL Grand Final MVP (2018); 3× All-NBL First Team (2014, 2016, 2024); 3× All-NBL Second Team (2021–2023); NBL scoring champion (2014); and NBL All-Star Game MVP (2012)
19. Benny Lewis
Date of Birth: 19 November 1956
Height: 6'4" (193cm)
Position: Shooting Guard
Nationality: American
Clubs: Illawarra Hawks; Coburg Giants; St Kilda Saints; North Melbourne Giants; and Westside Saints
Statistics: Points 5,605 (23.4 ppg); Rebounds 1003 (4.2 rpg); Assists 958 (4.0 apg).
Accolades: 1984, Lewis average 31.3 points, 5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists.
20. Scott Fisher
Date of Birth: 20 July 1963
Height: 6'7" (201cm)
Position: Power Forward
Nationality: American/Australian
Clubs: North Melbourne Giants; and Perth Wildcats
Statistics: Points 7,958 (22.5 ppg); Rebounds 3,546 (10.0 rpg); Assists 1,048 (3.0 apg).
Accolades: 3× NBL champion (1989, 1995, 2000); 2× NBL Most Valuable Player (1989, 1992); NBL Grand Final MVP (1989); 4× All-NBL First Team (1989–1992); 3× All-NBL Second Team (1987, 1988, 1993); NBL's 20th Anniversary Team; NBL's 25th Anniversary Team; No. 30 retired by Perth Wildcats; Australian Basketball Hall of Fame inductee.
21. Cal Bruton
Date of Birth: 29 September 1954
Height: 5'11" (180cm)
Position: Point Guard
Nationality: American/Australian
Clubs: Geelong SuperCats; Brisbane Bullets; Perth Wildcats; and Hobart Tassie Devils.
Statistics: Points 4,269 (19.2 ppg); Rebounds 604 (2.7 rpg); Assists 858 (3.9 apg); and Steals 276 (1.2 apg)
Accolades: NBL champion (1985); 2× All-NBL Team (1983, 1984); NBL scoring champion (1979); NBL's 20th Anniversary Team (1998); and NBL's 25th Anniversary Team (2003).
22. Phil Smyth
Date of Birth: 11 May 1958
Height: 6'1" (185cm)
Position: Point Guard
Nationality: Australian
Clubs: St Kilda Saints; Canberra Cannons; Adelaide 36ers; and Sydney Kings
Statistics: Points 4,435 (13.8 ppg); Rebounds 1,345 (4.2 rpg); Assists 1,583 (4.9 apg); and Steals 743 (2.3 apg)
Accolades: 3× NBL champion (1983, 1984, 1988); NBL Grand Final MVP (1988); 6× All-NBL First Team (1982–1985, 1988, 1989); 4× NBL Defensive Player of the Year (1982, 1983, 1988, 1989); Gaze Medal winner (1988); NBL's 20th Anniversary Team; and NBL's 25th Anniversary Team
23. CJ Bruton
Date of Birth: 13 December 1975
Height: 6'2" (188cm)
Position: Point Guard
Nationality: American/Australian
Clubs: Perth Wildcats; Brisbane Bullets; Wollongong Hawks; Canberra Cannons; Sydney Kings; New Zealand Breakers
Statistics: Points 6,825 (14.9 ppg); Rebounds 1,372 (3.0 rpg); Assists 1,616 (3.5 apg); and Steals 590 (1.3 apg)
Accolades: 6× NBL champion (2004, 2005, 2007, 2011–2013); NBL Grand Final MVP (2012); 2× All-NBL First Team (2006, 2009); 3× All-NBL Second Team (1999, 2008, 2010); 2× All-NBL Third Team (2004, 2007); NBL Most Improved Player (1999); Gaze Medal (2005); SBL champion (1994); No. 23 retired by New Zealand Breakers
24. Bruce Bolden
Date of Birth: 30 November 1963
Height: 6'9" (206cm)
Position: Power Forward
Nationality: American
Clubs: Eastside Spectres; Westside Saints; South East Melbourne Magic; Sydney Kings; and West Sydney Razorbacks
Statistics: Points 7,899 (17.8 ppg); Rebounds 4,000 (9.0 rpg); and Assists 1,058 (2.4 apg).
Accolades: NBL champion (1992); NBL Grand Final MVP (1992); 4× All-NBL Second Team (1990–1993); NBL Best Sixth Man (1999); No. 32 retired by the West Sydney Razorbacks
25. Larry Sengstock
Date of Birth: 4 March 1960
Height: 6'7" (201cm)
Position: Power Forward
Nationality: Australian
Clubs: St Kilda Saints; Brisbane Bullets; Gold Coast Cougars; Gold Coast Rollers; North Melbourne Giants
Statistics: Points 5,083 (12.2 ppg); Rebounds 2,981 (7.1 rpg); and Assists 764 (1.8 apg).
Accolades: 5x NBL champion (1979, 1980, 1985, 1987, 1994); NBL Grand Final MVP (1979); All-NBL Team (1982); and Australian Basketball Hall of Fame (2001)
And, there it is. The Top 25 NBL Players of all-time. * Denotes currently active players.
Without doubt there are players that aren't on this list that should be but I'm certain those on this list should be.
About the Author
Peter Brown is the head coach of the Sydney Comets Women’s Youth League team in the Waratah Basketball League in NSW. He is also the assistant coach for the Comets NBL1 women’s team in the NBL East Conference. Peter is a 30-year journalist, starting as a sports reporter at the NT News in the early 1990s. He played junior basketball for the Northern Territory at national championships from U16 to U20 and for the Territory’s senior men’s team at numerous international tournaments. Peter has been a basketball fan since the early 80s, especially the NBA. Basketball is his passion — and his opinions his own. Email peter.brown@basketball.com.au with feedback. Any email feedback on articles sent to Peter can be published on basketball.com.au for others to read.
